12 Best WW2 Games for History Buffs in 2023

Second World War Widely regarded as one of the most important historical events of all time. Not only is it a focus of study for many avid historians, it’s also the inspiration for a variety of movies, television shows, and video games. Of course, finding a video game about WW2 that is accurate and exciting is easier said than done.

There are thousands of different titles, many of which have boring mechanics or poor graphics. Fortunately, some rare diamonds are also difficult to track down. If you’re a fan of epic battles, warfare, and great storytelling, the following list of the best WW2 games for history buffs is the perfect way to spend your evening.

Note: A fair amount of the games on this list do not take place in WW2, but instead provide accurate depictions of historical World War II tanks or battleships (eg, WoT, War Thunder and World of Warships).

1. World of Tanks

Let’s start with the basics, World of Tanks, affectionately referred to as “WoT”, is one of the most popular and best WW2 games on the market, for several reasons. This massively multiplayer online game gives you the freedom to choose a vehicle from a range of different tank options and take it into battle in a massive environment. You can customize your tanks with different weapons and defenses, which is useful when there are dozens of other players trying to blow you up.

While this game is easy for beginners to get used to, it is not without its challenges; If you want to make sure you come out ahead of the competition, you need to be careful with your tank choices.

2. War Thunder

Originally released in beta mode over 10 years ago, War Thunder is a bit older than some of the titles we’ll be covering today, but it still holds up well in the modern market. This free-to-play vehicle combat game gives you a variety of vehicle options to control as you attack your enemies. You must learn how to master the land, sea and sky to win.

The game features over 800 different lovingly recreated vehicles, so it’s a great choice for history buffs who know their stuff. Additionally, there are plenty of tactical elements to explore, including the option to view battles from different angles to decide how you should make your next move.

3. Registered

One of the highest rated WW2 games of 2021, Enlisted is a multiplayer video game available on all the latest Microsoft and Sony consoles. The first-person shooter puts you in the role of a commander in charge of various soldiers in a squad. You can equip your platoon with a variety of weapons and gear and choose which soldier you want to control at any time.

Enlisted requires a considerable amount of multitasking and strategy, so you may find it a bit challenging to master at first. However, once you get into the swing of things, the experience is a lot of fun and there are plenty of real WW2 vehicles to explore.

4. World of warships

We can’t mention World of Tanks without giving some love to World of Warships. This title essentially combines all the tried and tested elements of WoT with a nautical theme. However, there are some unique gameplay changes to look forward to as well. Naval combat formation is much slower and more strategic, so you really have to use your brain.

With a huge open sea-scape to explore, there are plenty of opportunities to get into trouble as you navigate your ships. The most important thing you need to learn how to do in this game is planning. Make a strategy and make sure you follow it if you want to win.

5. Call of Duty 2

The most obvious choice for many in their search for the best WW2 games, Call of Duty 2 is one of the most compelling titles in the gaming world today. Sure, it’s pretty old compared to many games available to avid gamers today, but we still think it’s a gem worth playing. At that time the gaming world had an amazing campaign with a series of new features. The gameplay is very fun and has a wide variety of weapons to choose from.

Call of Duty games also give you a lot of options when it comes to how you want to play. You can decide to run the campaign solo or play through different scenarios in multiplayer mode. Overall, this game has all the necessary ingredients for hours of fun.

6. Call of Duty: WWII

If you love the Call of Duty franchise and want something a little more up-to-date, Call of Duty: WWII might be just the thing. The game actually builds on many of the earlier parts you’ve experienced in Call of Duty 2, but it features some unusual, boosted graphics and an amazing story. The campaign has a bunch of amazing missions filled with opportunities to test your combat skills. Additionally, there are multiplayer options as well.

Like other Call of Duty games, this version comes with a variety of weapons to explore and different fighting styles to check out. The game also has some pretty impressive voice acting, which you might not find anywhere else.

7. Commandos 2: Men of Courage

If you’re looking for something nostalgic, Commandos 2: Men of Courage might be just the thing – it’s also available to play on Nintendo Switch. The game is heavily based on strategy, allowing you to execute different battles in a range of different styles as you watch your troop from a top-down position. Ultimately, your goal is to send your platoon through a realistic simulation scenario, preparing them for battle.

At first, this game may seem simple, but when you really get into it, there is a lot of strategy and planning involved. A simple mistake can ruin your entire campaign if you’re not careful. Sure, the graphics aren’t particularly flashy, but you’ll still love the experience.

8. Section 2 of Steel

Another game for strategy lovers in our collection of top WW2 titles, Steel Division is a highly rated PC game that asks you to control a platoon of soldiers on the battlefield. You get to take control of both sides of the battle, so you can really enjoy some different perspectives. The title also has some great realistic elements, such as the ability to tap into the motivation and enthusiasm of your soldiers after a long march.

Aside from managing your platoon, you can take advantage of an array of different war machines, from tanks and boats to planes and anything else you deem valuable.

9. Let Hell Loose

Released in 2019, Hell Let Loose is a tactical first-person shooter that focuses on multiplayer elements. Available for Xbox, PC and PlayStation, this game is packed with realistic details. Rather than encouraging you to go out and kill as many enemies as possible, this title focuses more on encouraging cooperation and teamwork. In the title, nearly 100 player battles are available across 9 different maps as well as two gaming modes.

Capture points and other components are also generated dynamically for each session, meaning no two games are the same. You’ll be able to control one of 14 unique characters to achieve your goals and complete your mission, meaning this game has some incredible replayability if you’re looking for something you can enjoy for weeks.

10. Silent Hunter 3

Silent Hunter 3 is a unique approach to the WW2 video game landscape, introduced in 2005. It follows on from the previous game, Silent Hunter 2, and puts the player in charge of a German boat in the Battle of the Atlantic. You are responsible for sailing the open waters in search of enemy ships. As the title suggests, the key to success here is stealth on Bran.

You must strategically send torpedoes to sink enemy ships and weaken your enemy’s coastline. At the same time, you will have a series of different side missions and tasks to complete along the way. You’ll need practice to master this game, though, as navigation really takes some getting used to.

11. Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad

Another excellent strategy title on our list of the best WW2 games, Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad is a tactical multiplayer game with elements of a first-person shooter. Set in World War 2, this game puts you in control of a platoon of soldiers as well as a selection of battles. You can recreate some of the most historic battles of all time with these tools.

At one point named as one of the best games of the year, Red Orchestra 2 is a unique game with a lot of complexity and strategy. While it’s a lot of fun, it comes with a significant learning curve, as there’s no HUD to help you keep track of your stats and ammo. Plus, your guns can overheat if you’re not careful, which adds another challenge.

12. Order of Battle: US Pacific

A little less intense than some of the other options we’ve covered so far, Order of Battle: US Pacific is a top-down map-style game with a heavy focus on strategy. This game has a lot of detail that puts you in the heart of World War 2 where you are in charge of controlling an array of naval, air and land units. Everything you do should be carefully planned so as not to lose people.

The game has a range of different scenarios to explore, so you can test your skills in a variety of unique environments. The game also has several DLC packages available on Steam, so you can expand the experience further if you want to get more out of it.

The best WW2 games for your playlist

There is no dearth of options to choose from if you are interested in playing a World War 2 game in your spare time. The selections above are just a few of the titles we consider to be the most interesting and engaging on the market. However, there are many other great titles to consider as well.

Did we miss your favorite World War 2 strategy or first-person shooter game? Leave a comment below telling us why it should be a part of this list!

While you’re here, you can also check out our best war games, best naval games, and best tank games lists!